COLTON -- Local grower Mike Corse of Deep Root Mushroom Farm will share the skills of preparing logs using a Shiitake mushroom spawn at an upcoming Local Living Venture workshop slated for Saturday, April 29.

The course, "Shiitake Mushroom Log Make and Take," will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at a location to be announced near Colton.

Shiitake mushrooms flourish in the great northern woods, but need a tending hand to make them fruitful. Participants will leave with one plugged Shiitake log, included in the workshop fee, to tend at home.

The workshop will include the extraction of hardwood logs from the surrounding forest, inoculating them with commercial plug spawn, sealing the holes with wax, and how to lay them up to optimize mushroom production.

Attendees at this Local Living Venture event will learn about raising and eating gourmet quality Shiitake mushrooms, which is prized both for its culinary and medicinal properties.

Advance registration is required to receive the exact venue location, and organizers note that since this workshop has only been offered every other year, it often fills up quickly.

This unique learning experience comes with a materials fee of $40 to cover expenses, including one complimentary log, and to benefit the Local Living Venture's workshop programming.

To reserve a spot contact 315-347-4223, or preferably email to LocalLivingVenture@gmail.com with the number in the party and a phone number. Organizers will reply promptly with the location and directions near Colton.